'Save Tiverton' Seeks Peer Review on Casino Site

TIVERTON, RI — Save Tiverton, a group of local residents concerned about the land use impacts of the proposed Twin River casino, wants the Town Council to postpone Monday's public hearing for 45 days. The group sent a letter to the town council on Thursday, Feb. 9 and asked for an extension to allow its private consultant to review the environmental application.

Save Tiverton had previously asked Twin River to conduct a peer review "in light of serious environmental deficiencies that were cited in a RIDEM report regarding their application."

However, Twin River has declined the request.

Nonetheless, Save Tiverton believes a peer review of the applications is standard practice in the industry and has decided to hire its own consultant.

Moreover, the letter, sent from Karen Benson, a local environmental attorney representing neighbors and the group, urges the town council to grant the extension since it has adequate time to consider the matter under the law. In addition, the letter cites additional issues that need to be addressed including the provision of water, the disposal of sewer and the historical uses on site. In light of these environmental impacts, the letter further states that a public site walk is necessary before any decisions on these issues are made.